Starcodes August 9, 2019

Watch the Moon and Jupiter dancing together in the night sky, arching towards the west by midnight. Every month when the Moon and Jupiter waltz together our hearts swell, the volume of our emotions cranks up and events can take on extra size. Usually this uplifts the heart, sometime is just magnifies all feelings, particularly this year as Jupiter works its way through its own sign of Sagittarius.

The Sun, Venus and Mars are all now in fixed-sign Leo, and Mercury joins them on Sunday. With this Leo line- up a party can begin at the drop of a hat. So can a disaster. On a bad day Leo can bring out a flash of temporary narcissism or exacerbate the selfishness and an inability to empathize, which, with a craving for attention no matter the type or cost, is the Leo shadow. No event is a small event, everything, from afternoon tea to a national disaster, magnifies. Our worries inflate to make sure we hear them. Attitudes and opinions entrench deeply.

Whether we tap into this tough Leo shadow or into the beautiful Leo gifts of generosity, warmth, leadership and inspiration depends on our choice, and upon our ability to love and empathize; Leo rules the heart. When our heart is open and intact, we can now bring that Leonine panache to anything, bring social graces to trip to the grocery store or celebration to an afternoon meal. We may feel more extroverted than usual and be able express ourselves with heart and flair, but could have trouble just being simple and real. To use this expressive time well, let’s keep the heart open and empathy engaged.